Chapter 52: Visitors
Screams echoed in Loki's ears. Blood-curdling screams of torture.
"Loki! Loki! Help me!"
Brigid lay writhing in pain as she lay in a hospital bed, clutching her sheets, her white knuckles in perfect contrast with her crimson face and burning, sweaty skin. Brigid's hand reached up and managed to reach his.
"Loki, it's coming! The baby!" she cried.
"Save your strength, my love. It's coming," Loki whispered.
Brigid screamed as her contractions continued to torment her. Loki saw Tony take a seat at Brigid's legs as she continued to shriek from her pain.
"Please, help her, Stark," Loki begged.
"This kid won't come out on its own," Tony said. "We have to operate."
"No, let me do this!" Brigid cried through her pain.
"Princess, if I don't do this, you and the baby won't survive," Tony said. "Rock of Ages, give me your knife."
Without hesitation, Loki handed over a fresh knife to Tony, who made a careful incision along Brigid's womb. Loki smiled bravely as Tony worked to save his child.
"It's coming, my love," he whispered, stroking back the raven, sweat-stained locks. "Our child is coming. He'll be safe. Breathe, my love, breathe. Our child will be here soon."
Loki held Brigid's hand and nervously listened to Brigid's pained breathing as Tony finished making his incision. Alas, there were no cries of a child. There was no child at all. There was only an ocean of blood flowing from Brigid's body.
"Stark, what's happening? Why isn't the child crying? Where is my child?" Loki asked desperately.
Tony shook his head and showed him his hands, covered in blood. "I'm sorry."
"No!" Loki cried.
Much to Loki's confusion and dismay, Brigid took his knife. "I won't be without my children any longer."
"My love, don't!" Loki pleaded.
Too late. Brigid had already plunged the blade into her stomach and faded instantly. Loki screamed and found the knife Brigid stabbed herself with and that was used in the procedure, was in his own blood-soaked hands.
"Noooo!"
Loki snapped awake in a cold sweat to find Brigid still lying next to him in the infirmary. For his own reassurance, Loki looked down at his hands and found them spotless. Brigid lay there, unmoving. She looked peaceful enough but Loki knew better. That peace was only bought by the drugs through her IV drip; had it not been for those, she would've been in as much pain as was. Although he hated seeing Brigid wounded, he was thankful she was numb to the pain for now. For now, at least she was at peace. He would bear the pain for her.
The next evening, Loki kept watch by Brigid's side once more, praying for her full recovery. He knew that he was only fooling himself. There was no true recovery from losing a child, especially before it has had a chance to live. Just then, Tony entered with Steve. Loki turned scarlet red as they approached him.
"I hope you have a good reason for your visit," he said angrily. "I am in no mood to entertain so give me your business and leave us alone."
"We have not come to harass or harm you, in any way, Loki," Steve said. "I think we can come to a peace after what happened."
Loki scoffed. "Peace? Your mutant friend murdered my child, on your watch, and you want me to come to peace?"
"Loki, please, I think we all realize this has gone far enough and what part we had in it," Steve said.
Loki turned to Tony. "Any you, Stark? What have you to say? Your adoptive daughter is in this situation because of you, and yet your are silent."
"Look, I don't owe you anything, but I love Brigid and those kids more than anything," Tony said. "I would never allow any harm to come to her or the kids."
"Yet you did," Loki said.
"I don't deny I had a part in this and it will haunt me forever," Tony said. "We want to make up for it. Please, let me help her."
"And what of Nebula? I notice she is not here groveling before me," Loki said.
Tony sighed. "Nebula regrets what she did. She didn't know Brigid was pregnant. She was angry and it got the best of her. She is truly sorry."
"She sends you to make her apologies?" Loki asked indignantly. "Is she that much of a coward?"
"I told her the time wasn't right," Steve said.
"Not only that, but you forget that while you grovel to me, you should truly be making your apologies to Brigid," Loki said.
Tony nodded. "We will, once she wakes up. I promise we will put things right with her."
Loki nodded in satisfaction. "If I may ask, why the sudden change of heart?"
"Nightmares," Tony and Steve said.
Loki cocked his eyebrows. "Fair enough."
The next day, Loki could not have prepared himself for what lay ahead. He sat at a close vigil by Brigid's side, a tight grip on her hand.
"My love?"
Loki was distracted from his melancholy thoughts as he saw Brigid's eyes slowly open.
"My darling," Loki whispered. "It's wonderful to see your eyes again."
"Everything hurts," Brigid said bitterly.
Then, reality bit her, like a sword bites flesh. Her child was gone, another child taken.
"Our child is gone," Brigid said, her face twisted in pain.
Loki took her hand. "My love, if there was anything I could do to bring back our children, I would."
"Not you, but maybe they would," Brigid said. "Isn't that right, Captain, Tony?"
Loki turned to find Steve and Tony behind him, smiling uncomfortably.
"It's good to see you awake, Brigid," Steve said.
"We missed you, Princess," Tony said.
Brigid stared at them, fighting to keep her anger in check. "What do you want?"
"We came to make peace," Steve said. "What we did was wrong and we want to make up for it."
"How do you propose to do that?" Brigid asked.
"We have spoken to Thor, and he has agreed to your release," Steve said. "You want to see your little boy and your little girl again? You'll have it. And one more thing."
Steve turned to reveal Nebula standing behind him. Brigid's blood boiled and her eyes flashed.
"What is she doing here?" Brigid demanded.
"Sweetie, she is here to make amends for what happened. Please, give her a chance," Tony pleaded.
"Did she give my child a chance?" Brigid spat. "She choked the life out of my child, just as I'm certain she's done to countless others."
"I have done so," Nebula said earnestly. "I didn't care who I hurt for Thanos. I wish I could take it back but I can't. I just want to make up for what I did. At least I can start with you."
"Take that apology and shove it in your thumb drive, you artificial hag," Brigid spat.
"Brigid!" Tony cried, aghast.
"My child is gone, and not coming back thanks to you, so there's nothing more to say," Brigid said numbly. "Now leave me alone."
"Brigid, please-" Steve protested.
Brigid furiously blasted at Steve, Tony and Nebula. "Get out! Get out! Leave me alone! Get out! Get out!"
Steve, Tony and Nebula reluctantly left the room as Brigid collapsed in a flood of tears in her Loki's arms. Loki held her tight in his arms, as if he were her shelter from a storm. He did not know what to say, but he knew there were no words for this moment. He simply held Brigid and stroked her hair, letting her sob, as if she were spitting out poison from a wound.
"Shhh, I'm here, my love," he whispered. "I'm here."
Over the course of the next several evenings, Brigid and Loki remained in the infirmary. Loki began to despair over these days for Brigid's sake as her despair only grew. Brigid was often sedated as she refused to sleep. Loki began to fear the worst for Brigid every day. Much to Loki's surprise and relief, Thor had come to visit him and Brigid in the infirmary.
"Thor, I must say, I am quite surprised, and I never thought I'd say this, happy to see my idiotic big brother," Loki said.
"I love you, too, brother," Thor laughed. "How fares my dear sister?"
Loki's face paled and he sighed as he looked at the sleeping Brigid. "She suffers, brother. Every day she's in pain. She refuses to eat or sleep. I cannot persuade her. If I cannot, I don't who can."
Thor placed a consoling hand on his brother's shoulder. "Brigid is a strong woman. She will find her way back."
"I do not doubt her strength, but this is different," Loki said. "We lost our children and when we tried to rebuild our family, it was snatched from us. I don't suppose you know what that's like, do you?"
"True, I don't," Thor said. "I cannot know the pain you're going through, but I can try to mend it."
"No, you can't because nothing can take away this pain!" Loki shouted.
Loki collapsed his head in his hands, fingers running though his jet black hair. Thor could not be sure, but he was certain that Loki was weeping. It wasn't until Loki revealed his hidden face that Thor saw it was stained with tears.
"It should've been me," Loki said bitterly. "Not them. It should've been me!"
"Brother, the tragedy would've been greater had it been you," Thor said, clasping Loki's neck. "Thor and Astrid would not have a father, and Brigid wouldn't have you, and I don't know where I'd be without you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, brother," Loki said. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take a stroll."
"Where are you going?" Thor asked.
"I'm just going on a midnight stroll," Loki replied.
"Brother, are you alright?" Thor asked, concerned.
Loki sighed, slightly annoyed at his brother's persistence. "Yes, I'm alright. I just...need some fresh air."
Thor nodded. "Alright, brother. Please, be safe."
"Don't worry, I will," Loki said, showing Thor a less than sincere smile.
Loki stepped outside the Tower for the first time in days. The cool breeze flowing through his hair did nothing to reassure him. His children were still gone. Brigid was still in despair. He was still here. Loki's breath caught in his throat and he broke down to his knees and wept.
I don't deserve to be here, he thought bitterly.
Loki wept, his tears flooding the grass. Then, the winds picked up, scattering green and gold feathers as it picked up. Loki noticed the curious sight and followed the bright feathers as they danced in the wind. The wind blew the feathers faster and Loki chased after them harder, not knowing why or caring. He chased after them until he landed on a cliff. The feathers danced away and Loki collapsed on his knees, sobbing, gasping for air as if he were drowning. Then, he looked up in the sky and noticed a star next to the moon shining brighter than any other. Then he heard a familiar voice. "Loki."
The voice was all too familiar to Loki and one he had not heard in a long time. Suddenly, a cloud of smoke billowed before him and when Loki looked up, he saw the form of his Royal Guard standing before him.
"Fenrir," he gasped.
"My king," Fenrir said, bowing low.
"How is this possible?" Loki asked.
"I have always been watching over you, my king," Fenrir said. "I have seen that you are troubled."
"I have failed my family," Loki said. "Brigid is in despair, our children are gone. I have failed those I love. Thanos has all but won."
"My king, you think simply because something is out of your hands you failed?" Fenrir asked. "Yes, we wish we could delay death but that's not for us. And the loss of a loved one does not reflect on you. And now is not the time to wallow in your grief. It is time to be there for those you love that we still have."
"But my children didn't deserve this," Loki said.
"No they did not, but they are safe nonetheless," Fenrir assured him. "I am watching over them until you and my queen are with them once again. You have my word."
"I miss your wisdom, Fenrir," Loki said, smiling through his tears.
Suddenly the wind began to pick up. Fenrir's image began to disintegrate, much to Loki's dismay.
"No, please, you cannot go now! You have to stay!" Loki begged. "I cannot get on without you."
Fenrir laughed heartily. "You do not need me, my king. You've always had the strength to get through this. And I will be watching over you and my queen if you know where to look."
Loki nodded. "I shall look to that star every night."
Fenrir bowed and her smiling form disappeared in the cold midnight wind, leaving Loki alone in the night once more.
Once more, the next morning Loki sat by Brigid's side in the infirmary. He was still unsettled by the sight of his wife wounded. However, Fenrir's presence in the night had lightened his heart. Easing Loki's heart, Brigid woke once more.
"My love," Loki whispered, taking her hand. "I am glad to see your eyes again."
"As I am to see you," Brigid said.
Loki knew that Brigid was still deeply wounded by the loss of their children. He knew that wound would never fully heal and only he could help it along.
"My love, you are still troubled," Loki said. "If there were anything I could do to bring our children back, I would do it."
"I find myself wanting to join them," Brigid said.
"My love, that would solve nothing," Loki said.
"They would be protected," Brigid said.
"I can assure you they are well protected."
Loki and Brigid turned to find Frigga in her regal beauty, standing before them.
"Mother!" Loki gasped.
Loki reached out for Frigga's hand, but alas, he could not touch hands with his mother. "I missed you."
"And I you, my son," Frigga said.
"Why are you here?" Brigid asked.
"I have been by your side and I have seen your in pain these few days, and I have come to ease your pain," Frigga explained.
"How are we to go on? Our children are gone. I failed you," Brigid asked.
"My dear, you are the greatest daughter I could ask for. You could never fail me. You must go no matter how hard the pain" Frigga replied. "Life is a constantly flowing river. Yes, there are a few ripples but then you set the current again."
"I miss you so much, Mother," Brigid said sadly.
Frigga held out her hand, as if to clasp Brigid's head. "I have missed you both. I am so proud of you. You both have me beautiful grandchildren, and I'll be watching over you and them from Valhalla."
"Mother, I love you," Loki said. "I'm so sorry I never told you."
"But I always knew, my son," Frigga said with a warm smile.
Frigga's smiling form vanished and Loki and Brigid were once again left alone in the infirmary. However, their solitude was only ephemeral as Steve entered the room.
"What can we do for you, Captain?" Loki asked.
"I got the word that Brigid was awake," Steve said, "And I thought I'd heal the wounds I opened. I didn't know how to do that. Now I do."
""What do you speak of?" Brigid asked.
Steve nodded to someone outside the doorway and Tony came carrying Thor followed by Thor carrying Astrid. The sight of her children after days in the infirmary and imprisonment made Brigid's heart leap.
"Astrid, Thor!" Brigid cried.
Brigid wept as she embraced and kissed each of her babies, not wanting to let them go.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Don't thank me," Steve said. "Tony set this up."
"I know," Brigid said, smiling wide at Tony.
When Brigid said "thank you" Tony was certain that Brigid truly meant "I love you," once more. He felt that he had truly done right as a father. Brigid and Loki's hearts were at ease as they held their children once again.
A/N:Awww they have their two little ones back! Tony and Steve did the right thing. This is for my readers, reviewers, followers, favorites, etc. This story is for you and would be nothing without you.
